Abstract: A retainer device for positioning of medical instruments for cleaning and sterilization, including an elongated body portion with a first end and a second end, and a first end section positioned at the first end and a second end section positioned at the second end. Each of the first end section and the second end section includes a central opening and a gap connected to the central opening. Preferably, the end sections form a ring-like structure having a circular shape with the central opening and gap therein. The gap and the central opening are configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A bleed-back control valve is provided having a sidearm and an integrated three-way stopcock switching between two alternative fluid paths. One of the alternative fluid paths communicates with an inline pressure transducer embedded in the wall of the sidearm. The bleed-back control valve also includes a purge valve located near the blunted apex of a conical seal located in the main valve body. The purge may be opened to expel air from the space around the blunted apex.

Abstract: A hemostasis or bleed-back control valve such as a Tuohy-Borst adapter is provided that is capable of sensing pressure in vivo. The valve may include a main valve body having a lumen. An upstream main seal may be disposed in the lumen of the main valve body. A catheter fitting may be disposed at a downstream end of the main valve body. A pressure transducer may be in fluid communication with the lumen of the main valve body. Such devices may be suitable for exploratory or interventional medicine involving catheterization.

Abstract: A cleaning device for lumens includes a plurality of microfiber tails and a flexible leader. The microfiber tails are elongated, flat tails having substantially the same length and width. At two ends of the tails, the width of the tails tapers to form a cone shape. The microfiber tails are oriented in planar parallel relationship to one another or layered on top of one another when laid on a flat surface. The flexible leader has a first end and a second end, the second end of the flexible leader is adapted to be fed through the lumen and pulled by the first end thereof through the lumen, with the microfiber tails also being adapted to be pulled through the lumen due to its being coupled to the second end of the flexible leader.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at methods of preventing damages of a sterilization wrap for surgical instruments by utilizing tray belts. The tray belts are composed of an elongate member of substantially same width and a fastening means for connecting the two ends of the member. The methods comprise the steps of placing surgical instruments inside a sterilization tray, securely the tray belts around the tray, and wrapping a sterile wrap around the tray to form a sterilization pack. The methods may further comprise securing additional tray belts around the sterilization pack.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-ply absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner having a foam layer and a paper layer for cushioning sterilization trays and surgical instruments in a sterilization pack and providing advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a foam material, preferably a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam flame laminated to paper, preferably medical grade paper. The disclosed liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilizing trays such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the instruments or trays and metal surfaces are cushioned.

Abstract: A medical cleaning device includes an introducer having a tail. A cleaning thread includes a microfiber strand bonded to a foam strand. The cleaning thread is folded to form a loop and woven to itself and the tail to form a scrubber. The introducer is configured to couple the cleaning device to a pulling device. The microfiber strand may be sonic welded to the foam strand. The woven cleaning thread may be sonic welded to itself and the tail at points along the scrubber. The foam strand may be composed at least partially of open-cell urethane foam. The pulling device may include a rod including a clip coupled to an introducer loop on the introducer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-ply absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner having a foam layer and a paper layer for cushioning sterilization trays and surgical instruments in a sterilization pack and providing advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a foam material, preferably a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam flame laminated to paper, preferably medical grade paper. The disclosed liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilizing trays such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the instruments or trays and metal surfaces are cushioned.

Abstract: A sterilization system for sterilizing a surgical instrument includes a generally planar sterilization surface and a sterilization accessory disposed on the sterilization surface. The sterilization accessory is adapted to receive the surgical instrument thereon or therein, and the sterilization accessory is formed at least in part from an open cellular material. The open cellular material includes a generally planar base surface, a plurality of cells extending from the base surface, each of the plurality of cells including a side wall, which extends from the base surface, and an end wall. Each of the plurality of cells is open, such that gases surrounding the open cellular material are free to pass into and out of each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A cleaning element for lumen of surgical instruments includes a brush and a flexible metal leader. The brush has a first end, a second end, and a metal core, the metal core defining a longitudinal axis extending throughout the brush. The flexible metal leader has a first end and a second end, the second end of the flexible metal leader being welded to the first end of the metal core of the brush. The flexible metal leader is adapted to be fed through the lumen of the surgical instruments and pulled by the first end thereof through the lumen, with the brush also being adapted to be pulled through the lumen due to its being welded to the second end of the flexible metal leader.

Abstract: An endoscope pre-cleaning kit has a sealed, flexible pouch having front and back sidewall panels and a bottom gusset panel. The sidewall panels are superimposed over one another and sealed together proximate to their top and side peripheral edges to define a top seal and two opposing side seals. The sidewall panels are sealed to the bottom gusset panel proximate to their bottom peripheral edges to define a gusseted bottom portion such that the pouch is adapted to stand upright. The kit also includes a pre-diluted detergent contained within the pouch, and an absorbent pad adapted to absorb a portion of the detergent. The pouch includes a portion adapted to be opened in order to access the detergent.